GENERAL NEWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16414, 7 January 1919, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

o "Cornered by a Moa" is tho title of :io story of some extraordinary happenings in the Urcwcra Country recorded in tho "Weekly Press" issued to-dny. Tho cleaning of tho bir- Ethnological Room at tho Canterbury Museum has been almost completed. All tho specimens have been taken out, dusted, and cleaned. ■ Tho censorship on all wireless messages to and from all ship and shoro stations has boen suspended as from yesterday. This does not apply to men-of-war, for which all wireiess messages must pass through the naval advisor at Wellington. On Saturday aftornoon, camping parties at tho Ashley Gorgo had rather an oxciting time, owing to a whirlwind, which swept through the camp, and carried away almost ovorything in its track. Several tents were torn to ribbons, tont poles snapped, and others levelled to the ground. The gale was followed hy ram, making matters very unpleasant. A number of the campers hurriedly packed up and returned! to their homos. The Mayor (Mr H. Holland), replying to a question on the subject yesterday, stated that he intended to call a (inference of representatives of local bodies and a public meeting to discuss the form of Canterbury's war memorial. He felt that it was inadvisable to take the step just now, as the memorial should celebrate the making of peace, and the best time to consider it was after pcaco had been actually mado. The conference and public meeting probably would bo called in about a month's time. Durincr the week ended noon yesterday, 20 cases of infectious diseases in tho'Canterbury health district were reported. A feature is the absence of any notification of cases_ of influenza from any part of tho district. Tho dotails of the cases notified are: Grey, ono case of tuberculosis; North Canterbury, ono case of scarlet fever, ono of moasles, six of diphtheria, five of ] tuberculosis, and ono of cerebro-spinal meningitis; Ash'burton, one case of diphtheria; South Canterbury, four cases of scarlet fever. The supposed case of corebro-s-pinal meningitis discovered on the steamship Maori proved to be a true case of that disease; the patient has succumbed to it. Mr Con. A Voss, a former employee on the clerical staff of the Christchurch Tramway Board, who was on active service in Egypt and France, and who was later transferred to this_ Dominion as Regimental Sergeant-Major on the instructional staff at Trentham Foatherston and Tauherenikau, in forwarding his resignation la6t month to ti.o general manager, mado uso of language whicli is perhaps applicable to many returning soldiers who, in civil life, were accustomed to indoor vocations. He said, "Almost four years of strenuous cut-door life have unfitted me for, and made undesirable, a return to clerical work with its indoor limitations. I am forsaking the stool for the horse, the pen for the plough, and the dosk for the open fields. The insistent 'call of tho wild' demands my plodding the furrow and mustering the sheop, instead of riding in tramoars and entertaining ladies." Tho writer has since left for Balfour, Southland, to engage in farming pursuits. Recent additions to the collections at Canterbury Museum include a ' yellick boat presented by the Rev. F. Greenwood. of Brisbane, when ho was m Christchurch recently. It is a miniature canoe, about three feet long, and! was ujed by natives of Roper River, Northern Territory, Australia, for ohtaininc shells and other creatures or the sea in diving operations. In a collection of native manufactures of the Cook Islands, presented by Mrs Pear coBaldwin, there is a specially interesting exhibit. It is a drum made from tho skin of sharks, and has a high value in ethnology. R. A. Rowo has presented a leaflet drojjped l>y a German aeronlano on British, troops in France, nncf Lieutenant G. Archey has presented French paper money from occupied districts in France; A copy of "New Zealand at the Front," for 1918, has come to hand at tho Museum. It is a large volume, written and illustrated by men of tho New Zealand Division, and oontains surprisingly aoorl work by pen, brush, and pencil. * Mr R. Speight, curator, wishes to obtain more copies of Now Zealand soldiers' publications, and will be grateful for any sent to him. Tho movements of the brass band of thirty-eight players associated with the Fifteenth New Zealand Reinforcements makes interesting reading when related by Conductor-Lieutenant Brunnette, who has returned to the Dominion after being in charge since its inception. In England tlie members underwent the preparatory training all soidiers receive before leaving for France, and on arrival at the front they took up tho work of stretcherbearcrs and fatigue workers iu the lines. In between times they would discourse music out of the trenches but within range of the guns. During one of those performances a shell landed in their midst, killing, two and wounding several, while the remainder suffered from shell shock. The band also suffered severely by loss of instruments, eighteen of a new Besson set, purchased at between £600 and £700, being smashed to pieces. This was a setback, for by assiduous practising the band had reached a filgn standard of efficiency. It was brought up to full strength, however, and new instruments purchased, but of unoriginal thirty-eight members only seven now remain. The band was vary successful at the competitions in France last year, carrying off first prize, with fourteen bands competing. Speaking of the competition work s of the New Zealand bands, the English judge remarked upon their high state of "efficiency. Lieutenant Brunnette recoivcd promotion—from sergeant to his present rank—in the field.

All tho Canterbury rivers were reported clear yesterday. I ast vear the police cases in "Wellington'totalled 4793, decrease of 11&4 compared with 1911. The Defence authorities state that returning I>raft 203 is now expected at a North'lsland port within the next two or three days. The Tai Tapu Flower Show will be opened by the Hon. C. A C. Hardy. Mt, c at 2 p.m. on Friday. Tho irembers of the French Mission will visit the show during the afternoon. In connexion with the influenza epidemic, all restrictions upon the reof premises have now been removed by the District Health Officer (Dr. Chcsson). This, of course, means that schools can re-open. On the representation of the Canterb"rv Vu+omobilo Association, Mr George Herrick, of Tai Tapu, has genereuslv given the necessary land for tho improvement of the corner known as "Herrick's," on the main road between Christchurch and Little River. ' A social gathering will he held in the i Ifionilov School on Saturday, at S p.m., i 'or tho* purpose of making a presents- ' nn to Nurse Ballingerin recognition >of «orviccs rendered during + -.ie recent I epidemic. The School Committee will also make a presentation to Mr Chambers. In connexion with tho removal of th© shipping restrictions, limiting the crossing of Cook Strait to daylight, Mr S. Jv. Sieich, Christchurch manager oi tno Union Steam .Ship Company, has received telegraphic advice that the ferry steamers from Wellington have reverted to their former time of sailing, namely, 7.45 p.m. Entries closed Inst night f~r the Canterbury Horticultural Society's annual Swot "Pea Show, which takes place on Friday in the Art G-allcry. Tho entry w.-is the host received for many years. Tn addition to the competition classes, a largo number of flowers for exhibition onlv "will be staged. The show will be open to tho public from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tho "Thames Star" says it is not generally known that quite _ large schools of the genuine Cornish pilchard or sordino have been seen in the gulf, and ultimately a very profitable industry should be built up around this branch of local fisheries. There is no reason why sardines should be brought all the way from Norway or Italy, when thoy could be packed locally in largo numbers. Tho annual New Brighton gala, which is being held on Saturday next, promises to provide a full day's enjoyment fo r the children No effort is being spared to make the event as successful this year as in the past. Strong committees have the arrangements well in hand, and it is hoped that a substantial amount will be handed to the Naval Heroes' Fund, and Returned Soldiers Memorial Fund. The mortality occasioned in North Otago by the influenza epidcmic is fairly well indicated by tho increased number of deaths registered during the past year compared with the preceding year. Tho Oamaru registration district covers the greater part of tho county as well as the borough of Oamaru, and the total number of deaths registered was 206, as compared with 137. Of the increase of 69 newly the wholo were dun to influenza or its subsequent complications. yy,,,,;,,,. In-f, 0 f Mr George Witty. M.P., drew the attention of tne Postmaster-^ eui'raj \S:r Joseph Ward) to the fact that the telephone line between Darfield and Greendalo had been out of order sinco the winter snow. Tho Minister promised that the matter would be looked to, but up to the present nothing has been done. A few days ago Mr Witty telegraphed to tho Acting-Postmaster-Goner.nl (the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald), who has now replied that tlie line will be attended to immediately. A Wellington telegram states that three swimmers had a vety narrow escape from drowning at Titahi Bay on Sunday. Thoy were out bathing, and were making for the shore when a particularly strong undercurrent caught them. "The bathers were being swept steadily out to sea when a taxi driver, J. Nixon, launched a rowing _ boat single-handed. The craft was without rowlocks and had only one oar, "but after a smart piece of manoeuvring Nixon reached the swimmers and brought them safely to shore. Eyewitnesses highly praise Nixon's work. Some twenty of the Now Brighton Boy Scouts, under the charge of Scoutmaster G. W. Bishop, left by train yesterday for Culverden, whence they intend to march to Hanmer and back to Christchurch. The boys carry a full camping oquipment with them, having had built for them a trek cart, which they draw. Last night thoy were to ; camp a few miles past Culverden, and expect to reach Hanmor either to-night or early io-morrow. They will stay there until Mcdny. ami will start on the homeward march, reaching New Brighton on Saturday or Monday week. i Tho conference called by the United ' Federation of Labour to consider the question of a common policy for all • affiliated organisations, lias now been ; fixed for February oth. at Wellington. Every trade union in tne Dominion haa boon circularised to that effect, and each organisation has been invited to ; send two delegates. The circular states that the purpose of tho conference is "to consider a basis on which it would bo possible to attain national unity, , and to discover the reasons why the I various national federations are not linked together, and how such difßcul- . ties can be removed." "Are you going to spend your money on prohibition?" was tho somewhat startling question asked Mr P. R. Climie bv Mr N. K. Bowden when ho was approaching the S.iuth River Board for its support to the Canterbury Progress League. "We are not going to take up matters of that kind— the moment wo did so there would be a big split," was Mr Cimie's answer. He added that another question he had been asked was whether the League stood for a canal for Christchurch. .The question of better communication between TiVttelton and tho city would have to be gone into carefully and impartially. but it was not for him to say that the League would decide on a canal [ or on the duplication of the tunnel, i Stanley Clout, son of Mr William i Clout, of Windsor, New South Wales, ■ and three others lads (B. P. Snowden, Frank Mayne, and Mark Jones) were [ rabbiting at Bullridge, nine miles from i town, recently, when Clout had an ex- . citing adventure with snakes. He was t going through some thick bracken and . stepped on three large black snakes, . coiled up together. Two or 5 the reptiles attacked him, while the 5 third glided away. One snake bit j the boy on the front of the leg near . the ankle, while he received a bite on L tho. back of the same foot from tho ' other snake. Clout's companions actj ed promptly. A ligature was tied j above the bites, boot laces being used, and M.iyno sucked the wounds. Clout , was then put on a horse and hurried in ' to Windsor Hospital, whore he was j treated by one of the medical officers. \ He was in a precarious condition for j some time, but has now quite recovered. The presence of mind and prompt first aid bv his companions no f doubt saved Clours life. One of the | snakes was shot, but the other two ' escaped. , Superior perfumery at Loasby's t make splendid gifts. Atkinson and r • Yardley's perfumes in cut glass bottles , and presentation caskets. Old English i Lavender Water and Eau de Cologne. ,! Best English and French hair brushes . > for ladies and gentlemen, and manicure t, sets in unexcelled variety and value at _ i Loasby's, Chemists. 1 f You can depend upon everything l. being done promptly.and well if you ? only hand vour shipping document® to 3 J. M. Heywood and Co., They > are recognised as experts at this work, j Telephones 250. 1241. and 2174. o

For washing hospitalUnen use "No T?,,hhinc" Laundry Help regularly to insure perfect cleanliness. Is packet sufficient for seven weekly washings. Wardell Bros. If you have the faintest suspicion t.h-it vour evesight needs attention you should not hesitate to have an examination mado right away. If you have Jhis done your life throughout 1919 will bo happier and brighter. o are qualified opticians, and apply tho best scientific tests, which will tell vou just what U wron" with your eyos. Watson's, ''Jewellers » Limited, Opticians, 695 Colombo street, Chnstchurch. 1 H \NI>Y 2-SEATER FORD, £140. .Now on view—Two-seater Ford newly painted dove grej;; electric hghts tvres. buitable for commer"at S. Il«- Adams, Ltd., Garago, 219 Tuani street. 6 LIGHT CAR, For sale a bargain—Neat-looking, light 4 cyl., 4-5 seater touring car, finished in dark blue. Magneto ignition "Hoodite" seat, covers, and full equipment. £230. Adams, Ltd Garage, 219 Tuam stroot. 6 HANDSOME 3-SEATER STUDEBAKER. £275. Rcadv for deUvery-Threo-soator 4-cvl., 'Studebaker, beautifully finished in "cream. Eloctric lighting and selfstarter Five good tyres anS usual Shipment Sound £275. Adams, Ltd., Garage, _19 Tuam Btrcet.